Fuente : German Federal Gouvernment
http://www.bundesregierung.de/

Schröder: Progress in Middle East peace process

/noticias.info/ - Chancellor Gerhard Schröder welcomes Israel's announced withdrawal from Gaza. In a statement to the press after a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, Schröder noted that to ensure its success the withdrawal will need to be coordinated and based on the Road Map.


Chancellor Schröder met with Palestinian Prime Minister Qureia at the Chancellery in Berlin on May 17. Their discussions focused on the current situation in the Middle East.


Progress in peace process

Schröder said he was pleased by modest but positive signs of progress in the Middle East peace process, adding that this forward momentum can be maintained only if there is a de-escalation of violence in the region.

There is also a need to put a stop to the destruction of houses in Gaza by the Israeli army. This is affecting the city of Rafah, in particular, but also other areas, Schröder said. At the same time, it goes without saying that the Palestinian side has the obligation to do everything it can to prevent terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens.


Support for withdrawal from Gaza

Schröder stressed that Germany strongly supports Israel's announced withdrawal from Gaza and the dissolution of the Jewish settlements there, noting that this process needs to be carried out in a coordinated manner that will ensure its success. A withdrawal on the basis of the Road Map cannot be a substitute for final status negotiations between the two sides, Schröder said.

Qureia indicated that the best solution for the Middle East conflict would be to return as quickly as possible to negotiations based on the Road Map. After his meeting with Schröder, Prime Minister Qureia also met with President Johannes Rau and Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer.


18/05/2004 notas_de_prensa_archivo